New Head of St. Paul’s Looks for the Church's Place in the Modern World

Rev. Judith Alexis shows off a keepsake, a quilt of well-wishes from members of her seminary. PHILIP THIBODEAU PHOTO

Reverend Judith Alexis became the Rector of Southington’s St. Paul’s Episcopal Church this past May. Born in Manhattan to a Haitian family, she grew up surrounded by Catholic and Baptist traditions, but joined the Episcopal Church in her late 20’s, drawn by the way it combined an active laity with traditional practices.

She attended seminary in Texas, served as a curate in Ohio for a time, and then became the Haitian minister for the Connecticut diocese. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, she pulled back from full-time ministerial service so that she could take care of her mother and her aunt. But, she says, she never stopped being a priest. “Whenever a church needs me, I go. I did that in the Tri-State area. If you called me, I went. My motto was, first call, first served.”

Being in church was and still is the foundation for her life. “On Sundays, I need to be in church. It’s so much part of who I am as a person growing up in Haiti. On Sundays, I need to be in a faith community with worship.”

At an interview in her office at St. Paul’s, I asked Alexis about the challenges she faces, her impressions of the Southington community, and her plans moving forward.

What is the biggest challenge that you face these days?

In general, for the church, the question is, how do we adapt to this new world? How do I do worship on a Sunday morning? Before it was easy: you get up on a Sunday morning, you get dressed, grandma and grampa and aunties live nearby, everybody was at the same church. In the afternoon, one of the aunties would cook dinner, and that was Sunday dinner. It was easy for people to come to church. There was nothing competing.

In this new world, people work on Sundays, kids have sports on Sundays. We are still in our minds in the old world, but we’re living in a new one. The church has to adapt and see the need, and ask, how can people worship in a weekly community, without assuming it’s on Sunday morning.

The church has to make an effort to be modern, without throwing the baby out with the bathwater. An easy example: in our liturgy, it’s good to have acolytes and ministers, to have somebody carry the torches, etc. It’s becoming harder and harder to do that. Not because people don’t want to. But it was such a tradition: you were a kid at a certain age and you did this and this. Now it’s not the same. As a priest, and as a congregation, we have to make more of an effort to make you excited about it.

The interior of St. Paul's.

You mention excitement. How do you combine excitement with the traditional religious promise of inner peace?

I don’t think they’re competing. Being solemn and being quiet are not synonymous. I could be solemn and be very loud. I could be joyous and be very quiet. Some people get excited about something but their faces are solemn.

During the liturgical year, there’s an 8 o’clock service, and it’s very quiet. There’s no singing. At the 10 o’clock service, there’s choir, there’s music. People find their peace in both of them. That’s why we offer more services.

Sometimes we want to put people in boxes: if you’re excited you show it like this. No! There’s a diversity in creation. Some people like chaos but they are very peaceful in their chaos. The challenge is how do we as a church create a safe place that doesn’t look the same as everything else.

You said you got the call to be the rector of St. Paul’s this past January. What are your impressions of the town and the parish so far?

I’m finding that people move away and then come back here. It’s a pretty welcoming community, but people don’t always show it; they protect themselves. Anybody that comes in new is welcome, but people are also like, wait and see. My neighbors are all very welcoming.

Part of Southington wants to remain a secret. ‘We’re good – but don’t tell anybody.’ But I’m in a church – I have to tell everybody!

This is just my first summer, and my first impression. But I have friends who come through, and this is their impression too.

To an extent, the church wants to be a secret. But the church can’t be a secret. The church has to be out there, brave, and take a position, and be what it is called to be. All churches are called to be governed by love, by love of God and love of each other, no matter how you express it.

We have the little food pantry, like a book library we put food in. But people from the community will also fill it up. We know how much the need is depending on how quick it gets emptied. In the summer, if you put something in in the morning, by the afternoon it is gone.

St. Paul's food pantry.

Some people just put in. It’s anonymous. They will fill it up, but they will be anonymous. This is New England, got to be discrete! Shh!

Anyway, I am going to be here as long as God calls me to be here. The congregation and I will have that conversation. But I intend to be here a long time. I tend not to move a lot. I say, the will of God will never take me where the grace of God cannot protect me. That’s how I do my ministry. No matter how hard or easy it is. God is not subtle.

You said the church has to be brave. How does the church be brave?

Each domination has their own way of showing that publicly. For us, the motto is ‘all are welcome.’ That’s for us. When you walk in, if you call, I just need to know that you are calling. I don’t need to know anything else, just that you are a human being.

Or even a dog or a pet! We are going to do the blessing of the animals again this year on St. Francis weekend, the last Sunday of Apple Harvest. All creatures great and small are God’s creation. Creation-care is a big thing for us - how to properly use the resources that God has entrusted to us.

Or, just to be there – the ministry of presence. Say someone calls me at 2 o’clock in the morning and ask for help. I’m not going to ask what domination you are. But I am Episcopalian, so I am going to minister to you based on what I believe in. I cannot impose my understanding on another, I can only share it with you.

That’s why I love the Episcopal church. Things will come up where not everyone agrees. We have to agree that we will meet around God’s table. We will renew ourselves and re-inventory our beliefs, and say ‘I may disagree with you, but I will never refuse you at God’s table.'

Sunday is one day. During the other six days, what is your work day like?

Right now we are reinventing all of that because we didn’t have leadership for a long time. Church service is only on Sunday right now. But the building is open for meetings, open to the community. We have the Scouts that use this space. I’m in a process of assessing the space. It’s finding out what needs need to be met that nobody is meeting.

Right now I’m information gathering, having a lot of conversations, lots of breakfasts with lots of citizens. I’m learning to drink coffee because I’m not a coffee drinker! But that’s it, we are assessing this space and how best to serve the community. I’m open to any idea, if we’re offering stuff that fills a need.

There’s not a limit, the sky’s the limit. But the question is how to do it best, with a Christian background.

A welcome poster from the congregation.

Two Fast Food Restaurants Proposed for Property near Queen St Exit

Rendering of the proposed structure at 20 Spring St. SOLLI ENGINEERING SLIDE

One of the first buildings visitors to Southington see if they take the westbound ramp off I-84 onto Queen Street has lain vacant since May, after the previous occupant, restaurant Plan B, shut down.

Now that may change, if a developer’s proposal for the property at 20 Spring Street receives town approval.

According to the plan, which was reviewed by Planning and Zoning Tuesday night, the 5,020 square foot property would be partitioned into two spaces of roughly equal size.

The space on the north side of the building would be occupied by a CAVA. CAVA – not to be confused with Cava Italian Restaurant on West Street – is relatively new, nationwide fast-food chain that specializes in Mediterranean-themed food.

The space on the south side of the structure would be occupied by a Panda Express. Panda Express, a more established fast-food chain, features what it calls ‘American Chinese cuisine.’

The two restaurants, which are described in the application as “high-turnover,” are clearly designed to appeal to travelers coming off the interstate for a quick pit stop.

To keep that turnover going, the Panda Express would also have a drive-thru window.

Comments made by members of Planning and Zoning at Tuesday night’s meeting focused on two areas: aesthetics and traffic burden.

Commissioner Mike Goodrich asked the presenter, Paul Rodrigues from Solli Engineering, to develop a fuller plan for landscaping the edges of the property, given its visibility and the presence of two dumpster pads on the site.

In addition, several members of the commission expressed concern about effects the proposed businesses would have on the traffic flow at one of Southington’s busiest intersections. The drive-thru and the proposed 62 parking spaces point to a large number of vehicles coming in and out.

Commissioner Susan Locks noted that the exit queu from the Chili’s across the street is often backed up. “So,” she said, “if we have a backup across the street, it’s going to become a nightmare.”

Commissioner Caleb Cowles told Rodrigues that when the traffic study comes out, they are going to be looking carefully at the impact on the queue on Spring Street.

Commission Chair Steve Walowski wrapped up the commission’s comments by alluding to restrictions that had been placed on the previous owners by the town to enhance traffic flow, and noted that the same restrictions may be on the table. He observed that the previous establishment “was a little more passive,” and that “adding a drive-thru… is a whole other animal.”

Planning and Zoning tabled any final decision on the application until its next meeting.

 

181 Main Street Proposal

 

In other Planning and Zoning news, the former site of Thai Spice at 181 Main Street will also be undergoing a major change if the town approves a plan presented by Kratzert, Jones & Associates on behalf of the property owner, Dong Qi Kai.

Under the plan, the existing structure would be demolished and a new, two-story building constructed in its place.

The first floor of the building would be designated for retail, while the second floor would have two studio apartments.

Comments from the commission on the plan were generally positive.

Proposed building at 181 Main St. KRATZERT, JONES & ASSOCIATES SLIDE

Town Council Opens New Park, Honors Achievements, and Ponders Barnes Renovations

Local officials cut the ribbon for the recently completed Plantsville pocket park at the intersection of Rt. 10 and West Main AVERY MARTIN PHOTOS

It was a busy night for the Southington Town Council, which started its meeting with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new pocket park in Plantsville.

Complete with a mural of historic downtown Plantsville, the small green area features benches, flowers and picnic tables.

The council was joined by State Representatives Gale Mastrofrancesco, Chris Poulos, and Donna Veach, and State Senator Rob Sampson for the ribbon-cutting.

Council member Chris Palmieri signs document proclaiming September 14, 2026 'Edward S. Pocock Jr Day.'

The meeting then continued at the Weichsel Center. There the council and members of the local delegation proclaimed September 14, 2026, 'Edward S. Pocock Jr Day.'

Several council members shared fond memories of Pocock, who served in various community roles. The proclamation of Edward S. Pocock Jr Day was presented to Erica Pocock, Pocock’s granddaughter.

“Regardless of what role Ed played in the community, it was always clear that he put the best interests of this entire town first. I think that's a great quality to come by. Regardless of what the issue was, he was very thoughtful and deliberate. He made sure to do what was right for all of our residents. It's truly an honor to be able to second the motion to name the room after him,” said council member Palmieri.

The community room at the Calendar House was also renamed in Pocock’s honor.

The town council applauds the 11U All-Star Baseball Team.

Another proclamation honored Southington’s 11U All-Star Baseball Team, who won the district, section and state championships this year. Council members praised the team’s motto, ‘We Believe,’ and their persevering attitude.

“That belief became more than a slogan; it became their identity,” said council Vice-Chair Jennifer Clock. “‘We Believe’ wasn't just something they said; it was something they lived every day. And because of that unwavering belief, determination, and resilience, this team accomplished something extraordinary. They turned heartbreak into history. They transformed last year's disappointment into this year's triumph; they earned the title of state champions and brought home a championship that this community will celebrate for years to come.”

Representative Chris Poulos congratulates the 11U All-Star Baseball Team.

Christina Volpe, curator of the Barnes Museum, was also on hand at Monday’s meeting to update the council on recent developments at the museum.

“We brought over 100 people to downtown Southington this past summer alone, either by signing up for one of our walking tours or by signing up to do a private one,” said Volpe.

To realize the museum’s full potential, Volpe said, more funds will be needed to cover the cost of repairs. Renovations to the building’s aging exterior would allow it to survive for years longer and improve the look of the property. While some grants and donations have already been obtained, Volpe said the town council should help to fund the renovations.

Christina Volpe, curator of the Barnes Museum, speaks before the council.

Chris Iverson, president of the Friends of the Barnes Museum, urged council members to support the museum, explaining that renovations would allow it to continue to serve the public in the years to come.

“The museum, in my view, can be and should be the center of the history we have in our downtown,” said Iverson.

Volpe pointed out that the museum would be able to host more weddings and private events if restorations were made to the structure. “We had one private event last year, and that is because the Barnes Museum is in need of some repairs,” she said.

She also noted that even in its current state, the property has provided educational experiences to many Southington students. “We’ve reached 150 students across three schools, and we saw over 2,000 hours from volunteers and interns.”